Thank you for committing to helping others in Dakota County reduce waste and recycle right.
Payback hours
Recycling Ambassadors help educate the public about waste reduction, recycling and composting. Choose an independent project and/or attend opportunities that you hear about through the program to complete your 30 hours of payback.
Payback activities must:
- Be located in Dakota County unless otherwise approved by program coordinator, and
- Implement a system or program that diverts materials from the waste stream
or
provide one-on-one education to residents or businesses
Report hours
Tracking volunteer time provides an official record of progress toward your 30-hour volunteer time commitment so we can see the benefits of the Recycling Ambassador program.
Report hours through the Dakota County
Volunteer Management System. You can also track your hours to-date in your profile .
Report your hours
Learn How to Add Your Hours
Please contact
Garrett Zaffke with any issues with the online system.
Upcoming volunteer opportunities
Contact the person listed to volunteer or sign up online if that is an option. Log your hours on Better Impact to work towards your Recycling Ambassador status.
National Night Out
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Lions Park, 1043 Fifth St. W., Hastings
Help educate attendees on recycling and waste management. Volunteers will staff the table, assist with the recycling wheel and answer questions about how to recycle correctly. This event is outdoors in a grassy area; a chair may be provided for volunteers if requested.
Register online or email
Violet Penman.
Container Labeling
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Eastview High School, 6200 140th St., W., Apple Valley
Volunteers will help place labels on indoor containers.
Sign up online. Email Ali Vandercook with questions.
Eagan Food Truck Festival
Friday, Aug. 8, 4-9 p.m.
Festival Grounds, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan
Volunteers will be monitoring trash and recycling bins for
r.World cups and placing them into special collection bins. Email
Cassidy Carlisle.
Burnsville Party on the Plaza
Thursday, Aug. 14, 4:30–9 p.m.
Nicollet commons, 12550 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville
Volunteers will talk with residents about household recycling, upcoming events and hand out flyers. Email Cassidy Carlisle.
Puzzle Swap
Saturday, Aug. 30, 10—11:30 a.m.
Heritage Library
Volunteers will help set out puzzles for display (by number) and weigh puzzles on the way out. Email
Cassidy Carlisle.
Ongoing volunteer opportunities
Multiunit Recycling Program
Refer your apartment, condo or townhome to get recycling help. The following cities are seeking Recycling Ambassadors to connect them with multiunit properties. The recycling coordinator can provide free recycling resources, such as recycling bins, labels, tote bags and more, through the
Dakota County Multiunit Recycling Program.
Business Recycling Program
Refer your workplace or place of worship to get recycling help, start an organics (food waste) collection program or reduce waste. The county will work with you and the organization to plan and implement waste improvements. Free recycling resources include color-coded recycling bins, labels, employee training and more. Recycling Ambassadors can help by being a project lead and specific improvements such as labeling bins.
Sign up online to get a free, onsite assessment and learn more about free resources or contact
Elizabeth Logas, 952-891-7025.
Loaves and Fishes
-
Community meal sites: Assist in preparing and packaging meals for distribution or distribute meals and help clean up during and after meal service.
-
Commissary kitchens: Assist chefs in preparing bulk amounts of rescued food to be later distributed throughout our meal programming. Shifts may also include cleaning and sanitizing all kitchen equipment and workstations. This is a great opportunity for larger groups or corporate teams who are interested in working together to create a large impact in a short amount of time.
No experience is necessary for any of these shifts as our on-staff site coordinators will walk you through everything.
Online signup, email or contact Latisha Moening, 612-377-9810 ext.103.
Thrift Store Helpers
Sort donations, tag merchandise, organize, update displays and more.
Food distribution
Volunteering at food shelves counts for Recycling Ambassador hours because much of the food is rescued. You can also help collect excess produce from neighborhood and community gardens to donate to food shelves. Go even further by coordinating a gleaning event at a farm to gather excess food.
Resources
City Recycling Coordinators
Presentations with scripts available upon request.
- Recycling 101
- Recycling Mythbusters
- Lazy Guide to Composting
- Reduce Chemicals at Home